Al-Baqarah 2:256
The Cow · Medinan · Juz 3 · Page 42
Free Will
لَآ إِكۡرَاهَ فِي ٱلدِّينِۖ قَد تَّبَيَّنَ ٱلرُّشۡدُ مِنَ ٱلۡغَيِّۚ فَمَن يَكۡفُرۡ بِٱلطَّـٰغُوتِ وَيُؤۡمِنۢ بِٱللَّهِ فَقَدِ ٱسۡتَمۡسَكَ بِٱلۡعُرۡوَةِ ٱلۡوُثۡقَىٰ لَا ٱنفِصَامَ لَهَاۗ وَٱللَّهُ سَمِيعٌ عَلِيمٌ ٢٥٦
There is no compulsion in religion. The right direction is henceforth distinct from error. And he who rejecteth false deities and believeth in Allah hath grasped a firm handhold which will never break. Allah is Hearer, Knower.
Translation: Marmaduke Pickthall
Meaning
There is no compulsion in religion. Right has become clearly distinct from wrong. Whoever rejects falsehood and believes in Allah has grasped a firm handhold that will never break.
Insight
According to Elmalılı, the subject of religion is a person’s free choice. Faith shown under force is not true faith, and a prayer performed under force is not prayer. For him, the glory of religion lies not in compelling but in protecting from compulsion.
Reflect
When did you last perform an act of worship willingly and with love?
This short note is based on Elmalılı Hamdi Yazır’s Turkish commentary and has not yet been reviewed by a scholar.
Elmalılı’s commentary
An English translation of Elmalılı’s full commentary is coming soon. Read the original Turkish ›